Sugar’s Not so Sweet Effect on Health

Sticky, sweet and nutritionally bankrupt, sugar is making people sick, tired and fat. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Americans consume an astounding 156 pounds of sugar each year! Global sugar consumption is approximately 173 million tons.

While the obvious sugary culprits are sweet snacks, soda and ice cream, sugar also sneakily lurks in pasta sauces, salad dressings and other foods.

Why Sugar Is Making Us Sick

According to a study by JAMA Internal Medicine, “Epidemiologic studies have suggested that higher intake of added sugar is associated with cardiovascular (CVD) risk factors.” The conclusion of the study revealed, “Most US adults consume more added sugar than is recommended for a healthy diet. We observed a significant relationship between added sugar consumption and increased risk of CVD mortality.”

Another study led Dr. Custodia Garcia-Jimenez at the University Rey Juan Carlos in Madrid, found that high sugar levels represent a crucial mechanism that connects obesity and diabetes with cancer. According to this study, the high sugar levels increase the activity of a gene widely implicated in the progression of cancer. 1

Eating too much sugar can also lower your immune system, making you more susceptible to illness. It can also contribute to increased arthritis and joint pain.

Cutting Back on the Sweet Stuff

Being a scrupulous label reader is a good way to know how much sugar is in the foods you buy. Choose foods that have little to no added sugar, limit fruit consumption and opt for more vegetables. Berries are your best bet when it comes to fruit. Do you like to sweeten your coffee or cereal? Consider using Stevia, a natural, plant-based sweetener.

We’d be happy to help you break the sugar habit and show you how chiropractic care may help boost your immune system and overall health!